He was drinking a large scotch as usual. Between sips he tapped his fingers lightly on the ice filled glass which was sweating on its coaster. He had an expectant, almost excited look on his face. For the first time I noticed what looked like a Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch on his thin wrist. He glanced at it often. My mind went back to the restaurant in Notting Hill in London where I had seen the dubious exchange of bags. This was different. He looked relaxed. After a few minutes a waiter walked up to him carrying a cloth covered tray. He glanced once more at the door then got up and followed the waiter to a table at the far side of the room that overlooked the ocean.
I shifted my chair to the right so I could keep watching him. He was in conversation with the waiter. As he spoke, his right hand dropped some cash into the young waiter’s top pocket. Birds of a feather, I thought as I took a sip of the beer. Richard sat. The waiter appeared carrying a silver ice bucket with what looked a bottle of champagne. He placed it at the side of the table and surrounded the neck of the bottle with a white cloth. It’s got to be a date, I thought. There was none of this pomp and ceremony last night. No flash new clothes. No Rolex watch. No tidy hair or champagne. Last night was a piss-up with a friend. Tonight is different for sure. Thirty seconds later I saw Richard move faster than I had ever seen him move. He almost jumped out of his seat and immediately started walking towards me beaming from ear to ear. Thankfully he chose a path through the tables to my left as the quickest route to the front or he might have looked me straight in the face. I put my beer down on the table and slowly turned around to see what all the fuss was about. It was then that I saw her.
She was, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. It was as if all time instantly stopped and the hum of the restaurant fell silent at the sight of her. It was as if she walked in slow motion. She was at least six foot tall. Outrageously slim with long cascading brown hair that was tossed over to one side. Her face was a picture of classic European beauty. Radiant and glowing with thick, dark, perfectly sculpted eyebrows. Her face was impossibly symmetrical and her skin was the colour of milky coffee. Her lips were a pale pink colour. Her large, smiling eyes were a dark and dreamy hazel surrounded by perfect white. Above her long eyelashes was a delicate but noticeable amount of gold make up which more than added to her almost impossible beauty. Around her long slender neck she wore a diamond necklace. Again, it was understated but obvious. The tendons in her neck showed slightly as did her collar bones above her top which hung low on ultra thin strips of shiny silver material. Her skin was tanned to a golden brown in stark contrast to the loose silvery top under which the small youthful breasts bulged. I put her age at about twenty seven.
She wore tight fitting designer jeans on her long legs and around her waist was a thick, loose fitting leather belt with tassels on the front. On her feet she wore elegant high heels, again in silver. She tilted her head to the left, exposing a diamond earring as she walked, and smiled with genuine affection at the approaching figure of Richard. I was so absorbed I could only see him out of the corner of my eye. Her teeth were pure white. I forced myself to look away briefly and glanced around the surrounding tables. Her entrance had the same effect on the nearby diners as it had on me. Both men and women were stopped in their tracks by her presence. There was a table with two couples sitting close by. I saw the woman sitting furthest from me kick her husband or boyfriend sharply in the shins under the table as punishment for his window shopping. The whole surreal episode ended as Richard and the woman finally reached each other. With a huge smile on her face she paused and held out her right hand. Around her wrist was a diamond bracelet. Richard held her hand lightly, leant forward and kissed her once on each cheek. He then motioned towards the table he had been sitting at and they both made their way to sit down. I looked around again at the people at the tables who had witnessed her entrance. Clearly she had caused a stir. The men acknowledged her arrival to each other as they ate with raised eyebrows while the women did the same with scowls. It had been quite an entrance. Richard and the woman made their way back to the table and sat down. At the same time I was approached by a waiter who asked me if I was ready to be seated. I asked him where the table was and he pointed towards the centre of the room. I gauged that I would have a view of Richard’s table from there so accepted and walked with the waiter to my seat. I explained the person I was waiting for hadn’t arrived and ordered a beer in the mean time. As I waited for my order I positioned my chair so I could watch Richard and the woman as I sat.
They smiled as they spoke. Although they were deep in conversation I sensed an excited nervousness about them. It was as if he was trying to impress her with his wit or his stories. There was no physical contact between the two of them as they spoke. This gave me the impression that they were not yet lovers. Richard called a waiter who promptly opened the bottle of champagne he had cooling and they both toasted each other. The waiter handed them menus and they began making their selections for dinner. The waiter arrived with my beer. I explained that my dinner date was late and that I would like to see a menu in the mean time. He pulled one out from under his arm and I began browsing it. The selection was sumptuous. I could see why this particular establishment was so popular. I decided on a starter of melon wrapped in parma ham followed by a main course of fillet steak with a blue cheese sauce. The waiter appeared concerned that my dinner date hadn’t arrived when I made the order.
I told him not to worry and go ahead and take it. As I waited, I continued watching Richard and his lady friend. He had certainly made an effort with the table, the champagne, and his appearance. But it had been a worthwhile effort, and I fully understood why. She was dazzling. There was no other word to describe her. Eventually my starter arrived and the waiter enquired if I would be wanting any wine with my meal. I told him the beer was fine for now and, feeling ravenous, got stuck in. I watched Richard's table out of the corner of my eye as I ate. Presently their starters arrived as well. She had an incredible ladylike daintiness in the way she ate. It was as if she hardly held any food at all on her fork. With a figure like that I'm surprised she eats anything, I thought as I finished the last of my starter. I sipped my beer as I waited for my main course to arrive and as I watched, I decided that if there was any reason to travel half way around the world for two nights, she was it. I fully understood why he would do such a thing. I would have done the same. Their main course arrived at the same as mine. They had both ordered the lobster. My steak was absolutely huge and took up most of the plate. It was cooked to perfection with rivers of the pungent blue cheese running off it. I made an effort not to be seen to be staring at the couple and instead watched them out of the corner of my eye. She was still getting admiring glances from men in the room. I wondered if she was a celebrity or perhaps a famous fashion model. She certainly had all the attributes.
The evening went on like this for a good two hours. The two of them chatted and laughed. They drank white wine with their meal. She held the stem of the huge glass delicately as she drank. Taking tiny sips. I noticed Richard was getting through at least two glasses to her one and on more than one occasion she raised her hand with a smile to refuse a top up. Shame on you Richard, I thought, trying to ply a nice girl like that with drink. Don't blame you though. I asked for my bill from the waiter as they finished their desserts. I needed to get it out of the way and pay in case they left suddenly. I paid cash and left a generous tip for the waiter. By now the two of them had removed the white serviettes from their laps. Richard was leaning slightly forward on his elbows as he spoke to her, as if in an effort to get closer to her. She was unmoved and kept her perfectly straight posture as she laughed at his jokes. Eventually Richard motioned to the waiter to bring his bill. It arrived as mine had in a folder and dutifully he paid using a credit card. After the waiter had left I noticed Richard making what appeared to be some dance moves with his arms as he sat. She laughed gaily at this and then took a look at her watch. She smiled and said, “ok!
”.
Richard, looking pleased, got up, walked around the table and pulled her chair out for her. Again, a perfect gentleman.
The two of them walked out towards the door with her in front once again getting admiring glances from the patrons. It was my cue and I after a few seconds I did the same. I allowed them both to exit the door of the restaurant and then, pulling my car keys from my pocket I followed them out and down the stairs. Instead of heading towards the car park, I saw the couple make a sharp left and walk down another set of stairs below the building we had been in.
I remembered Binks mentioning the club that was situated below the restaurant and the fact that he may well be there that evening. Sure enough the couple carried on down a corridor and towards a reception area. There was a large man at the door to the club. He looked like a bouncer. Not your typical London club goon in a tuxedo but a more relaxed, long haired and cool, Capetonian bouncer in shorts and tee shirt. Richard and the woman made their way towards the big man and stopped briefly to have a word. There was still no physical contact between them at all. The bouncer gave a surprised smile to them both and motioned them to enter the club which from the outside looked as if it was pumping with people. Once Richard and his date had entered and gone out of sight I made my way to the door.
“Hi good evening,” said the big man.
“How are you doing?” I said. “What’s going on tonight?”
“Tonight we’ve got Leo and the Juggernauts, they’re a mixture of Congolese dance and lounge music.” He said with a smile.
“Sounds interesting,” I said raising my eyebrows, “any cover charge?”
“No cover charge, carry on, enjoy!” he said, ushering me in.
“Thanks very much,” I said, and walked in slowly.
The place was packed with people of all kinds. There were dread-locked beach bums in saggy clothes mixing with sharp dressed sophisticates sipping wine. There appeared to be a mix of tourists and locals. A large percentage of which were dancing to the band which was playing a repetitive but appealing song with a pounding beat and steel drums. I stood for a moment to take it all in. There were a series of darkened rooms at sea level. To my right I saw there was a veranda area with a low retaining wall which stretched out in the open air towards the rocks and the crashing waves. There were comfortable looking chairs and couches all along it with groups of people sitting drinking and talking.
On the inside where I was standing there was a long bar to my left with flustered looking staff trying to keep up with the demands of the thirsty punters. In front of me was a series of levels with chairs and tables gradually going down to the dance floor which was heaving. On the far right of the interior was the band. They were all seated and busy thrashing out the strangely addictive tune on their respective instruments. I had walked into a hell of a party.
Suddenly I remembered what I was there for and quickly looked around for Richard and the woman. They were at the far end of the bar attempting to order drinks. Richard’s tall frame was leaning over the bar, a banknote in his hand trying desperately to get the attention of the staff while his companion stood with her back to him, smiling and nodding her head to the rhythm of the music as she watched the band and the dance floor. I made my way slowly through the crowd to the bar. There were at least sixty people between us trying to get drinks so there was little risk of being singled out. I arrived at the bar and stood between a short sun-tanned girl with untidy hair and a smartly dressed man who was clearly drunk and frustrated. The girl to my right swung her hips constantly to the pounding music. The sound system must have been of good quality because although the band was loud, I could still hear the calls of the thirsty punters as they vied for the attention of the bar staff. I looked at the man to my left. He had a pinched face which reminded me of a rat. I put his age at about forty. He was suntanned and had long straight blonde hair.
“You been here a while?” I asked, trying to strike up a conversation.
“This place is fucked! This is a fucking joke! Been here for ten fucking minutes!” He shouted with speckles of saliva flying from his mouth, “and I'm before you!” He shouted raising his eyebrows at me.
“Hey, no problem, no problem at all,” I said, “I'll help you get their attention”.
Wish I had never spoken to the prick, I thought as I drew a hundred rand note from my wallet and waited. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that Richard had succeeded with his order and was taking delivery of a bottle of white wine and two glasses. I stood my ground and waited. It would be easy enough to spot him wherever he sat in the club.
After two or three minutes the patience of the man to my left ran out and he started shouting again.
“Can you hear me?” He screamed, “Can you fucking hear me? I've been standing here for fifteen fucking minutes with no service! What the fuck is going on?!”
It was becoming uncomfortable and he was starting to make a spectacle of himself. There were looks coming from the people surrounding us. This was the last thing I needed. Some asshole causing a fight or a disturbance and the attention of the whole club focusing on me by accident. Just then he flicked an empty glass off the bar and onto the floor behind, it landed and smashed.
“Will you wake up and serve me now?!” He shouted slamming a clenched fist onto the wooden surface. He had now got the attention of the bar staff who looked at him with tired expressions on their faces. I decided to attend to him myself. I smiled and nodded at the bar staff. I quickly put my left arm around his neck as if we were old friends. I brought him close to me and squeezed hard. His fingers came up to try to free himself but it was too late and by then I was causing him some serious discomfort. Still smiling, I held my head close to his and heard him give a quiet groan.
“Nnnnggg you're hurting me.” His face was now going red and his bloodshot eyes bulged a little.
“I haven't even started hurting you buddy. If you don't walk out of here quietly, right now, I'm going to take you outside and put you to sleep for a while. Do you understand?” I whispered in his ear.
“Nnnnggg, yes, sorry, I'll go, I'm sorry,” he grunted.
“Don't make me come after you because you will regret it.” I said.
“No, I'm going, I'm sorry.”
I let go of him and watched him as he made a hasty, staggering retreat up the levels and out towards the door. A tall young barman with slicked back hair came up to me immediately from behind the bar.
“Thanks for that. My staff were refusing to serve him. What can I get you? Oh, and this one’s on the house.”
“I'll just have a beer please, Castle is good,” I said glancing around.
The situation had been normalised and the beautiful people of Cape Town had got back to the serious business of partying. I poured my beer and turned around resting my elbows on the bar. I could see through the window behind the band that Richard and the woman had made their way outside to the open air section of the club. They were seated on a couch at the far side nearest the ocean with their backs to the low retaining wall. The woman was obviously enjoying the music and was clapping her hands to the beat as Richard poured the wine. In an effort to exclude themselves from the crowd in the club Richard had chosen an ideal spot for me to keep an eye on them. I made my way out of the nearest exit to the outside area and found a small table with a few armchairs around it and sat down. They were about twenty metres from me now and there were various groups of party goers between us. Some sitting on the wall, others on the chairs and tables. It was a festive and busy scene and I had some great cover. I sat back, relaxed, and took in the atmosphere.
There was a cool, salty breeze coming in off the sea to my right and the hypnotic rhythm of the song pounded away as the crowd swayed and bobbed to its tune. I realised I was thoroughly enjoying myself. The incident with the man inside earlier was forgotten now and all was well in my world. The prospect of flying off to another exotic location in the morning was all fine by me. I glanced again to my right to hav
e a look at how Richard’s evening was going. They were both still sat on the sofa at the far end. Although there was still no physical contact between the two I noticed that Richard was leaning ever closer towards her. She was certainly playing it very cool, maintaining her posture and her smile all along as she clapped and moved about to the music. Eventually the song ended and another one began. Richard and the girl stood up and, leaving their glasses and bag on the table, made their way to the dance floor. It was clear that wherever this woman went she caused a bit of a stir. As they started dancing it seemed that people made a bit of extra room for her just so they could admire her. She was a great dancer.
Richard on the other hand was a bit too tall and gangly to move with her sort of style and resorted to outlandish jerky movements which seemed to delight her and she giggled continuously. I felt like I knew him now and I was almost proud of his efforts to win her over. At that moment I heard a voice behind me to my left.
“Jason, Jason, how are you doing man?” I turned to see a scruffy man in shorts and a tee shirt making his way over the rocks and sand dunes towards me. It was Binks from the guest house.
“Glad you could make it!” He said as he swung himself over the low wall,
“Can I join you?” He asked with a smile.
“Sure you can. How are you doing?” I replied.
The Jason Green series Box Set Page 12
